Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will soon take the next major step toward his eventual return to the mound. Prior to Friday's game against the New York Mets, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters,

Ohtani has not yet pitched in a game for the Dodgers since signing a 10-year, $700 million contract ahead of the 2024 season. Despite the lack of pitching, Ohtani still made his first year worth it as he hit .310/.390/.646 with 54 home runs and 130 RBIs and won the NL MVP award.

Shohei Ohtani is closer than ever returning to a Major League Baseball mound for a live game. The latest news out of the Los Angeles Dodgers tells us Ohtani is continuing to progress in his return from Tommy John surgery.